Multiple electric switch

ABSTRACT

A multiple electric switch includes a spring-biased ball mounted as a locking element in a member connected to a switch shaft, and a plate formed with locking positions in the form of recesses and with guiding means to guide the ball relative to the recesses. Individual sets of switch contacts, such as microswitches, having respective operating members, are mounted as part of the switch and the operating members project into respective recesses for engagement by the ball when the latter enters the recess, to operate the associated switch contacts. The multiple switch may be a rotary switch, a linear switch or a band switch, and the band switch may be combined with either the rotary switch or the linear switch. The recesses have a close conforming fit with the ball such that an operating member is actuated only when the ball is fully seated in the associated recess.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Wolfgang Tiet'enthaler Rosenheim, Wehrfleck, Germany [21] Appl. No. 811,799 [22] Filed Apr. 1, 1969 [45] Patented May 18, 1971 [73] Assignee Messerschmitt-Bolkow Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haflung Munich, Germany [32] Priority Apr. 6, 1968, Oct. 22, 1968 [33] Germany [31] B75308 and G6803301 [54] MULTIPLE ELECTRIC SWITCH 7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 200/153 [51] Int. Cl 1101b 3/00 [501 Field otSearch 200/166 (B)5, 166(B)2, 11.21, 21.3, 214,153.19, 52 (lnquired) [56] References Cited 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,946,940 2/1934 Lee 200/52(Ba11) 3,024,334 3/1962 Rhodes 3,294,929 12/1966 Johnson ZOO/11.24 200/! 1.23

ABSTRACT: A multiple electric switch includes a springbiased ball mounted as a locking element in a member connected to a switch shaft, and a plate formed with locking positions in the form of recesses and with guiding'means to guide the ball relative to the recesses. Individual sets of switch contacts, such as microswitches, having respective operating members, are mounted as part of the switch and the operating members project into respective recesses for engagement by the ball when the latter enters the recess, to operate the associated switch contacts. The multiple switch may be a rotary switch, a linear switch or a band switch, and the band switch may be combined with either the rotary switch or the linear switch. The recesses have a close conforming fit with the ball such that an operating member is actuated only when the ball is fully seated in the associated recess.

Patented May 18, 1971 3,578,930

2 Sheets-Sh 1' INVENTOR Wolfgang Tiefenthuler By WWW TQM) ATTORNEYS Patented May 18, 1971 3,578,930

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Wolfgang T'iefent haler By WWW haw ATTORNEYS MULTIPLE ELECTRIC SWITCH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are known multiple electric switches with a springbiased ball as a locking element and mounted in a member fixedly connected with a switch shaft whereby the ball can be guided over a plate having locking positions designed as recesses. Thus, for example, from German Auslegeschrift No. 1,094,846, there is known a rotary switch wherein the individual switch positions are determined through a locking arrangement. This locking arrangement comprises a plurality of circularly arranged recesses into which a spring-biased ball in a carrying member locks when a discrete switch position is reached. The member is rigidly connected with the switch shaft which serves, in a known manner, to actuate electric contacts or switches which are completely separated from the locking device.

There is also known, from German Auslegeschrift No. 1,202,382, a rotary switch which also uses a spring-biased ball as a locking element. In this case, howeventhe spring-biased ball is simultaneously used as a contact part connecting during a rotation of the switch, two contact segments electrically coupled with each other, and detennining, at the same time, the respective locking position.

While such rotary switches perform their designed functions satisfactorily, they are not suitable for those cases where a discrete position, to be maintained very accurately, is used as a locking element. For example, the discrete position may comprise a certain rotary position of a switch shaft in order to start an electric switching operation which may take place, however, only when this particular position, which is limited to a very small range of the possible switch path, is reached. That is, the electric switch operation of a rotary switch is started only in an angular position that can be determined with an accuracy of a fraction of a degree of angle.

The cam switches used heretofore for these purposes are likewise unsatisfactory, since the starting power of a part circle with a cam disc of smaller dimensions and containing the switch positions is not large enough. In addition, the relatively great number of moving parts and the small tolerances to be maintained during manufacture of the cams are disadvantageous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to multiple electric switches including a spring-biased ball mounted as a locking element and engageable in detents at each locking position and, more particularly, to an improved multiple electric switch of this type having a greatly improved accuracy of the operating position and which is simple and inexpensive in construction.

The improvement in accordance with the invention is applied to a multiple electric switch including a spring-biased ball mounted, as a locking element, in a holding member fixedly connected with a switch shaft, and which ball can be guided over a plate formed with locking positions designed as recesses. In accordance with the invention, operating elements of electrical contact sets forming individual switches extend into these recesses and are actuated by the ball when it enters fully into a recess.

Such a design of a multiple electric switch, where the ball serving as a locking element is not used simultaneously, as in known multiple electric switches, as a locking element, but rather forms part of the actuating device necessary for actuating the electrical contacts, provides a very simple constructional design with precise maintenance of a discrete switching position comprising only a very small range of the possible switch path of movement.

In accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the invention, the multiple electric switch is used as a rotary switch, so that the recesses are arranged along a circle and connected with each other by a circular trough or groove for guiding the ball.

In another embodiment of the invention, the multiple switch is used in the nature of a sliding switch, and the recesses are arranged on a straight line and connected with each other by a rectilinear trough or groove for guidance of the ball.

The multiple switch in accordance with the invention can be made particularly simple when, in accordance with the further embodiment of the invention, the operating pins of commercial switches, such as microswitches, extend into respective recesses each determining a locking position. These known microswitches have a very small operating pin which can be introduced from that side of the plate opposite to the side formed with the recesses in such a way as to enter into the recesses, so that the pins are easily and reliably actuated whenever the ball enters the respective recess.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the multiple switch may be used as a band switch having at least two different switching ranges in dependence on the particular angular position of the switch path. In such a band switch embodying the invention, the ball is locked in one of the recesses during a horizontal direction of motion. A second plate connected with the switch shaft has a depression partly receiving the ball, and the length of this depression, relative to the total length of the path of movement of the second plate relative to the plate formed with the recesses, determines the stay zone of the individual switches provided by the electric contact sets in a first position.

By means of the slightly modified multiple switch, it is also possible to attain a very exact maintenance of the switching positions, where the switch changes its respective switching state when changing from a first range to a second range and vice versa. Unlike the cam switches principally used heretofore in band switches, the operating element of the switch designed according to the invention can be moved in both directions without the accuracy with which the switching positions are maintained being reduced. By contrast, in known cam switches, the accuracy with which the respective switching position is maintained is determined by the slope of the cams, so that an optimum switching accuracy can be achieved, at best, on one side of the cam.

The multiple switch of the invention, when used as a band switch, can be designedas a rotary switch or as a slide switch. In the former case, the plate fonned with the recesses and the second plate are circular plates which rotate relative to each other, the depression in the second plate extending over a certain partial length of the switch path as determined by the total possible displacement of the two plates.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved multiple switch of small dimensions which permits a very accurate start of electric switching operations in dependence on the respective position.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a switch which is very economical to construct.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a switch with a spring-biased ball as a locking element engageable in recesses, and with operating elements of electric contact sets, forming individual switches, extending into the recesses and actuated by the ball when it enters a respective recess.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a multiple switch which permits a very simple constructional design with precise maintenance of a discrete switching position extending through only a very small range of the possible switch movement.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a multiple switch designed as a rotary switch.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a switch designed as a slide-type switch.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a switch in which the contact sets are part of a microswitch having an operating pin extending into the respective recess.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a multiple switch which may also serve as a band switch having at least two different switching arrangements depending on the position of a switch operating member, such as a rotary shaft.

For an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference is made to the following description of typical em bodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the Drawings:

FIG. I is a side elevation view, partly in section, of a rotary switch embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the switch shown in FIG. 1',

FIG. 3 is a plan view, partly in section, of a slide-type switch embodying the invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the multiple switch used as a band switch, and in a first switching position;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but illustrating the band switch in a second switching position; and

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of that surface of a second plate,

. adjoining a first plate formed with the locking recesses, of the band switch shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and illustrating two switching ranges.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIG. I, the rotary switch therein illustrated includes a plate I which, as best seen in FIG. 2, has four recesses 2, in the form of calottes or spherical zones. Recesses 2 are interconnected with each other by means of a circular groove or trough 3. A ball 4 is guided in trough or groove 3, and is so mounted in a holding device 7, fixedly connected with a switch shaft 5 by means of a screw 6, that it is forced into trough or groove 3 or, when it reaches a recess 2, into the latter, by means of a spring 8 provided in holding device 7.

On that side of plate I opposite to the side formed with trough 3 and recesses 2, there are secured microswitches 9 in a manner not shown in detail. The operating pins of these microswitches extend through bores 11 into recesses 2 of plate 1.

During rotation of switch shaft 5, ball 4 is guided by holding device 7 along groove or trough 3. An operating pin 10 of a microswitch 9 is actuated by ball 4 only when ball 4 locks fully into a recess 2 upon reaching the latter. With the size of each recess 2 selected in accordance with the diameter of ball 4, such actuation of an operating pin I is possible only in a rotary position determined with an accuracy of a fraction of a degree of angle.

The slide-type multiple switch shown in FIG. 3 operates on the same principle as the switch shown in FIGS. I and 2, and parts corresponding to those shown in FIGS. I and 2 have the same reference character primed. Referring to FIG. 3, plate I is formed with a straight or rectilinear trough or groove 3 in which a spring-biased ball 4' is guided by means of a holding device 7' designed in the same manner as the device 7 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Holding device 7 is connected with a switch operating member which performs a linear movement for shifting the switch. Microswitches 9' are mounted on that surface of plate I opposite to the surface formed with the recesses 2' and the groove or trough 3', and have pins It) extending into recesses 2'. The pins are actuated only when ball 4 fully engages in the associated recess 2' when the ball reaches the corresponding switch position.

A switch in accordance with the invention is very simple to manufacture, since the recesses 2 or 2' can be drilled or deformed with simple tools at accurately prepared markings. The dimensions of these recesses must be only slightly greater than the corresponding dimensions of the respective ball used in the switch. Preferably, commercial microswitches are used as the electrical contact sets, and these can be applied in a simple manner, for example by casting, on plate 1'.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the multiple band switch shown therein also comprises the plate I having at least one recess 2. A second plate 12 is rotatable relative to plate 1 by means of a switch shaft 5. A ball 4 is mounted in the calotteshaped recesses 2 of plate 1 in such a manner that it is restrained against horizontal movement by the dimensions of the calotte and can move freely only in a vertical direction. The operating pin 10 of a microswitch 9 extends through a bore II in plate I into recess 2 to an extent such that the microswitch is actuated by operating pin 10 only when ball 4 extends fully into recess 2.

The second plate 12 has a depression 13 adapted to the dimensions of ball 4. This depression 13 extends over a certain arcuate length A of a full circle on plate 2, as can be best seen in FIG. 6. Depression 13 is positioned at a distance from switch shaft 5 such that ball 4 engages recess I3 during rotation of plate 12.

During rotation of plate 12 relative to plate I, microswitch 9 is in the first switching position, shown in FIG. 4, until ball 4 can engage recess 13 of the second plate 12, since ball 4 is forced into recess 13 by the spring-biased operating pin 10 of microswitch 9. In the arcuate range B of the circle on plate 12, there is no depression I3 to receive the ball 4 during rotation of plate 12 relative to plate 1. Consequently, in the operating range B, ball 4 effects the different switching position of microswitch 9 as shown in FIG. 5, and in which ball 4 depresses operating pin 10 of microswitch 9. The transfer between the two switching ranges A and B is maintained with an accuracy of fractions of a degree of angle in both directions of rotation, since both the recesses 2 and the depression 13 are exactly adapted to the dimensions of ball 4.

The band switch shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can also additionally perform the same function as the switch shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this case, a recess is provided in the second plate 12 and distinct from the depression 13, and another ball is retained in this recess. This ball, mounted under spring bias on the second plate, and which then serves at the same time as the holding device, can correspond with additional recesses outside the plate I, serving at the same time as locking positions of the band switch. The ball can thus actuate microswitches in the same manner as described in connection with the multiple switch shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

I claim:

I. In a multiple switch including a spring-biased ball mounted as a locking element in a member connected to a switch operating shaft, and a plate formed with locking positions in the form of recesses and with guiding means to guide the ball between the recesses: the improvement comprising, in combination, individual sets of switch contacts, each set including switch contacts directly engageable with each other to control an electric circuit, and each set having respective operating members projecting through apertures into respective recesses for engagement and depression by said ball, when the latter is fully seated in a recess, to operate the associated set of switch contacts; said recesses being hemispherical recesses and having close mating engagement with said ball when said ball is engaged in a recess; said ball being associated with said sets of switch contacts only mechanically and through said operating members.

2. In a multiple switch, the improvement claimed in claim I, in which said sets of switch contacts form parts of microswitches having operating pins projecting into respective recesses.

3. In a multiple switch, the improvement claimed in claim 1, in which said recesses are arranged around a circle and interconnected with each other by a circular groove for guiding said ball.

4. In a multiple switch, the improvement claimed in claim I, in which said recesses are arranged along a straight line and interconnected with each other by a substantially rectilinear groove for rectilinear guidance of said ball.

5. In a multiple switch including a spring-biased ball mounted as a locking element in a member connected to a switch operating shaft, and a plate formed with locking positions in the form of recesses and with guiding means to guide the ball relative to the recesses: the improvement comprising, in combination, individual sets of switch contacts having respective operating members projecting into respective recesses for engagement-by said ball, when the latter enters a recess, to operate the associated set of switch contacts; said switch being a band switch; said ball being locked in one of said recesses against movement toward other recesses; a second plate connected with said switch shaft and formed with a groove arranged to partly receive said ball; the length of said groove relative to the total length of the path of movement of said second plate relative to the plate formed with said recesses determining the dwell zone of said sets of switch contacts in a first position.

6. In a multiple switch, the improvement claimed in claim 5, in which said plate formed with said recesses and said second 6 plate are circular plates rotatable relative to each other; said groove in said second plate extending over an arc of a circle which are determines the range of angle of rotation, in accordance with the angular extent of said arc and its position relative to the full circle of movement of said plates, during which said sets of contacts are in the first switching position.

7. In a multiple switch, the improvement claimed in claim 6, in which said sets of contacts form the contacts of microswitches each having an operating pin extending into a respective recess. 

1. In a multiple switch including a spring-biased ball mounted as a locking element in a member connected to a switch operating shaft, and a platE formed with locking positions in the form of recesses and with guiding means to guide the ball between the recesses: the improvement comprising, in combination, individual sets of switch contacts, each set including switch contacts directly engageable with each other to control an electric circuit, and each set having respective operating members projecting through apertures into respective recesses for engagement and depression by said ball, when the latter is fully seated in a recess, to operate the associated set of switch contacts; said recesses being hemispherical recesses and having close mating engagement with said ball when said ball is engaged in a recess; said ball being associated with said sets of switch contacts only mechanically and through said operating members.
 2. In a multiple switch, the improvement claimed in claim 1, in which said sets of switch contacts form parts of microswitches having operating pins projecting into respective recesses.
 3. In a multiple switch, the improvement claimed in claim 1, in which said recesses are arranged around a circle and interconnected with each other by a circular groove for guiding said ball.
 4. In a multiple switch, the improvement claimed in claim 1, in which said recesses are arranged along a straight line and interconnected with each other by a substantially rectilinear groove for rectilinear guidance of said ball.
 5. In a multiple switch including a spring-biased ball mounted as a locking element in a member connected to a switch operating shaft, and a plate formed with locking positions in the form of recesses and with guiding means to guide the ball relative to the recesses: the improvement comprising, in combination, individual sets of switch contacts having respective operating members projecting into respective recesses for engagement by said ball, when the latter enters a recess, to operate the associated set of switch contacts; said switch being a band switch; said ball being locked in one of said recesses against movement toward other recesses; a second plate connected with said switch shaft and formed with a groove arranged to partly receive said ball; the length of said groove relative to the total length of the path of movement of said second plate relative to the plate formed with said recesses determining the dwell zone of said sets of switch contacts in a first position.
 6. In a multiple switch, the improvement claimed in claim 5, in which said plate formed with said recesses and said second plate are circular plates rotatable relative to each other; said groove in said second plate extending over an arc of a circle which arc determines the range of angle of rotation, in accordance with the angular extent of said arc and its position relative to the full circle of movement of said plates, during which said sets of contacts are in the first switching position.
 7. In a multiple switch, the improvement claimed in claim 6, in which said sets of contacts form the contacts of microswitches each having an operating pin extending into a respective recess. 